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Judge: Public view of convention adequate

Ramsey County District Court was the scene of
the latest defeat for a group of protesters who want more and
better space outside the Republican National Convention next week.

Judge Kathleen Gearin wrote that the area along West Seventh
Street east of the Xcel Energy Center compares favorably with
public space set up for other national political conventions. And
she says it affords more space than what's offered at the
Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The judge wrote that the area is "constitutionally adequate."

Several lawsuits have claimed that the area restricts free
speech because it confines demonstrators to a single area. Previous
challenges were turned back in federal court, and St. Paul
officials contended that demonstrators were simply hoping for a
better outcome in state court.